Article of footwear having a degradable component

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear is provided that includes a sole structure and an upper attached to the sole structure. The upper includes an exterior layer and a base layer, and the exterior layer includes a biodegradable layer and a biologically active agent capable of biodegrading the biodegradable layer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of International ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2018/077968, filed Oct. 13, 2018, which is pending andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to an article, such as anarticle of footwear, that includes a degradable portion. In particular,the present disclosure relates to an article with a biodegradableportion that reacts and adapts to a user.

2. Description of the Background

Many consumers desire articles or products that are unique, or specificto their particular use. For instance, many consumers desire articles offootwear having a sole structure that fits their particular gait, anupper with a particular degree of breathability or level of air flow,and/or a shoe having a unique aesthetic appearance. Further, manyconsumers desire articles of footwear or articles of clothing that aredynamic and adapt to the user. However, creating such articles orproducts specific to each individual user can be expensive and timeconsuming, which is typically undesirable for both a consumer and amanufacturer.

For example, some consumers may desire an article of footwear or articleof clothing having a particular degree of aeration. But deciding whereto include openings or apertures on the article of footwear or articleof clothing to provide optimal aeration through the article may dependon the individual using the article and the circumstances of usethereof.

Manufacturers usually provide a variety of products that aim to providea wide variety of options for a consumer. In addition, manymanufacturers allow consumers to customize articles prior to purchasingthe article in an effort to provide a unique product for the consumer.However, typically these products usually take longer to manufacture andare more expensive. With respect to articles of footwear or clothing,adding a bespoke or custom option may significantly increase costs for amanufacturer, which can disincentivize the offering due to a large pricedifference between off-the-shelf goods and customized products. Manyarticles of clothing and footwear are produced in large volume, thus,significant inefficiencies can result when certain articles are requiredto be customized.

Many consumers also desire articles or products that are dynamic, orarticles that alter in appearance, which provide a user with anexperience while the article changes or evolves. In some instances, thedynamic nature of an article or product may alter a user's mood orfeeling (e.g., a lamp that changes colors to set a mood), may providethe user with a surprise (e.g., a scratch off ticket that indicates alottery prize), or may indicate a state of the article (e.g., a lightindicating a low battery state). However, producing or manufacturingarticles or products that incorporate these dynamic features, andincorporating these dynamic features in such a way that provides anenjoyable experience for a user, may be difficult.

A need therefore exists for systems and methods to allow forcustomizable articles, including articles of footwear and clothing, thatare customized based on one or more factors that may be controlled ormay be controllable by an end user. Further, a need exists for systemsand methods to allow for articles, including articles of footwear andclothing, that are dynamic and articles that provide for a userexperience.

SUMMARY

An article of footwear, as described herein, may have variousconfigurations. The article of footwear may have an upper and a solestructure connected to the upper.

In one aspect, the article of footwear includes an upper that includesan exterior layer and a base layer. The exterior layer includes abiologically active agent and a biodegradable layer. Further, thebiologically active agent is capable of biodegrading the biodegradablelayer.

In related aspects, the exterior layer further includes an intermediatelayer and a top layer, and the intermediate layer may comprise a patternof patches. In some embodiments, the article of footwear furthercomprises an instep layer and a collar layer. The exterior layer mayextend upwardly from the sole structure along a forefoot region, amidfoot region, and a heel region to a boundary. The boundary may extendaround a periphery of the upper and through each of the forefoot region,the midfoot region, and the heel region. In particular embodiments, thebiodegradable layer may include poly(ethylene terephthalate) and thebiologically active agent may include Ideonella sakaiensis. Further, theinstep layer and the collar layer may extend upwardly from the boundary.

In another aspect, the article of footwear includes a sole structure andan upper attached to the sole structure. The upper includes abiodegradable layer and a biologically active agent capable ofbiodegrading the biodegradable layer. The upper may further include atop layer having the biodegradable layer, a base layer, and anintermediate layer positioned between the top layer and the base layer.In some aspects, the intermediate layer is obstructed by the top layerin a first state, and the intermediate layer is at least partiallyvisible in a second state, wherein the biodegradable layer is at leastpartially biodegraded in the second state. The biodegradable layer maybe positioned along a portion of the top layer to allow for degradationof a pattern within the top layer or, in other aspects, thebiodegradable layer may be positioned along a portion of the top layerto allow for degradation of a trademark within the top layer. In someembodiments, the article of footwear may also include a first color inthe first state and, after the biodegradable layer is consumed, thearticle of footwear may further include a second color different thanthe first color in the second state. In further aspects, the base layermay include a non-biodegradable substrate, and the article of footwearmay further comprise a tightening member to tighten the article offootwear around a wearer's foot. In particular embodiments, thebiodegradable layer may include polycaprolactone and the biologicallyactive agent is selected from the group consisting of: Bacillus brevis;Clostridium botulinum; C. acetobutylicum; Amycolatopsis sp.; Fusariumsolani; Aspergillus flavus; Pseudozyma japonica Y7-09; R. depolymeransstrain TB-87; Leptothrix sp. strain TB-71; P. antarctica JCM 10317; andCryptococcus sp. strain S2.

In a further aspect, an article is provided that includes a solestructure, and an upper that is attached to the sole structure andincludes a biologically active agent, wherein the biologically activeagent emanates carbon dioxide.

Other aspects of the article of footwear, including features andadvantages thereof, will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart upon examination of the figures and detailed description herein.Therefore, all such aspects of the article of footwear are intended tobe included in the detailed description and this summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a composite material thatincludes a composite substrate and a material layer;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the composite material of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the composite material of FIG. 2,taken along line 3-3 thereof, according to a first aspect;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the composite material of FIG. 2,taken along line 3-3 thereof, according to a second aspect;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the composite material of FIG. 2,taken along line 3-3 thereof, according to a third aspect;

FIG. 4A is a top plan view of a composite material in an initial stateof biodegradation;

FIG. 4B is a top plan view of a composite material in a firstintermediate state of biodegration;

FIG. 4C is a top plan view of a composite material in a secondintermediate state of biodegradation;

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of a composite material in an initial stateof biodegradation;

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of a composite material in a firstintermediate state of biodegradation;

FIG. 5C is a top plan view of a composite material in a secondintermediate state of biodegradation;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an article of footwear incorporating thecomposite material of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a lateral side elevational of the article of footwear of FIG.6;

FIG. 8A is a top plan view of the article of footwear of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8B is a top plan view of the article of footwear of FIG. 6, with anupper removed and a user's skeletal foot structure overlaid thereon;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the article offootwear of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the article of footwear of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an article of footwear incorporating thecomposite material of FIG. 1, according to another aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of an article of footwear incorporating thecomposite material of FIG. 1, according to yet another aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 13Aafter undergoing a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 14A is a side view of a user wearing the article of footwear ofFIG. 6, wherein the article of footwear is at an initial state ofbiodegradation;

FIG. 14B is a side view of a user wearing the article of footwear ofFIG. 6, wherein the article of footwear is at a first intermediate stateof biodegradation;

FIG. 14C is a side view of a user wearing the article of footwear ofFIG. 6, wherein the article of footwear is at a second intermediatestate of biodegradation;

FIG. 15A is a side view of a user wearing an article of footwearincorporating the composite material of FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15B is a side view of the user of FIG. 15A, after the article offootwear thereof has undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 16A is a side view of a user wearing an article of footwearincorporating the composite material of FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16B is a side view of the user of FIG. 16A, after the article offootwear thereof has undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 17A is a side view of a user wearing an article of footwear havingthe composite material of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 17B is a side view of the user of FIG. 17A, after the article offootwear thereof has undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 18 is a top view of an exemplary heat map of an upper of an articleof footwear;

FIG. 19A is a top view of another exemplary heat map of an upper of anarticle of footwear;

FIG. 19B is a top view of yet another exemplary heat map of an upper ofan article of footwear;

FIG. 20A is a perspective view of an article of footwear incorporatingthe composite material of FIG. 1, according to another aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 20B is a perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 20Aafter undergoing a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 21A is a perspective view of an article of footwear incorporatingcomponents of the composite material of FIG. 1, according to yet anotheraspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21B is a perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 21Aafter undergoing a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 22 is a side view of a user wearing a pair of articles having thecomposite material of FIG. 1;

FIG. 23A is a front view of an article incorporating the compositematerial of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 23B is a front view of the article of FIG. 23A after the articlehas undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 24A is a front view of an article incorporating the compositematerial of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 24B is a front view of the article of FIG. 24A after the articlehas undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 25A is a front view of an article incorporating the compositematerial of FIG. 1, according to yet another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 25B is a front view of the article of FIG. 25A after the articlehas undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 26A is a front view of another article incorporating the compositematerial of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 26B is a front view of the article of FIG. 26A after the articlehas undergone biodegradation;

FIG. 27A is a front view of an article incorporating the compositematerial of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 27B is a front view of the article of FIG. 27A after the articlehas undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 28A is a front view of an article incorporating the compositematerial of FIG. 1, according to yet another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 28B is a front view of the article of FIG. 28A after the articlehas undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 29A is a top elevational view of an insole for an article offootwear, wherein the insole includes the composite material of FIG. 1;

FIG. 29B is a top elevational view of the insole of FIG. 29A after theinsole has undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 30 is a rear view of an user wearing one or more articlesincorporating the composite material of FIG. 1;

FIG. 31A is a front elevational view of the user of FIG. 30, wherein theuser is wearing an article incorporating the composite material of FIG.1;

FIG. 31B is a front elevational view of the article of FIG. 31A afterthe article has undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 32A is a front elevational view of the user of FIG. 30, wherein theuser is wearing an article incorporating the composite material of FIG.1;

FIG. 32B is a front elevational view of the article of FIG. 32A afterthe article has undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 33A is a front elevational view of the user of FIG. 30, wherein theuser is utilizing an article having the composite material of FIG. 1;

FIG. 33B is a front elevational view of the article of FIG. 33A afterthe article has undergone a first amount of biodegradation;

FIG. 34 is a process flow chart of an exemplary methodology forproducing an article of footwear having the composite material of FIG.1; and

FIG. 35 is a top plan view of an upper of an article of footwear duringa step of the process depicted in FIG. 34.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose variousembodiments or configurations of a composite material that may be usedor incorporated into an article, such as an article of footwear or shoe.As will be further discussed herein, concepts or aspects of thecomposite material may be applied to or incorporated into articles offootwear, articles of clothing, accessories, athletic equipment, or anyarticle that may use a fabric or textile material.

For example, concepts of the composite material may be applied to orincorporated into articles of footwear that are considered athleticarticles of footwear or sports shoes, such as running shoes, tennisshoes, basketball shoes, cross-training shoes, football shoes, golfshoes, hiking shoes, hiking boots, ski or snowboard boots, soccer shoesor cleats, walking shoes, track cleats, or any athletic article offootwear utilizing an upper. The concepts associated with embodiments ofthe present disclosure may also be applied to a wide range of otherfootwear and footwear styles, such as non-athletic articles of footwear,including dress shoes, sandals, loafers, slippers, or heels.

In addition to footwear, particular concepts described herein may alsobe applied and incorporated in other types of apparel or other athleticequipment, including articles of clothing (e.g., shirts, shorts, pants,hats, socks, calf sleeves, headbands, wristbands, arm sleeves, gloves,etc.), helmets, padding or protective pads, and shin guards. Evenfurther, particular concepts described herein may be incorporated ininsoles, cushions, backpack straps, golf clubs (e.g., a golf club grip),or other consumer or industrial products. Accordingly, conceptsdescribed herein may be utilized in a variety of products.

The term “about,” as used herein, refers to variation in the numericalquantity that may occur, for example, through typical measuring andmanufacturing procedures used for articles of footwear or other articlesof manufacture that may include embodiments of the disclosure herein;through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences inthe manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make thecompositions or mixtures or carry out the methods; and the like.Throughout the disclosure, the terms “about” and “approximately” referto a range of values ±5% of the numeric value that the term precedes.

The terms “weight percent,” “wt-%,” “percent by weight,” “% by weight,”and variations thereof, as used herein, refer to the concentration of asubstance or component as the weight of that substance or componentdivided by the total weight, for example, of the composition or of aparticular component of the composition, and multiplied by 100. It isunderstood that, as used herein, “percent,” “%,” and the like may besynonymous with “weight percent” and “wt-%.”

The terms “degrade,” “degradable,” and “degradation,” as used herein,refer to a material, composition, component of or portion of an article,such as an article of footwear for example, that is capable of beingdecomposed chemically or biologically following activation by a givenstimulus or stimuli, or exposure to, an active agent that promotesdecomposition at a rate more rapid than if the material, composition,component of or portion of the article of footwear were left todecompose without the stimuli or active agent.

The terms “biodegrade,” “biodegradable,” and “biodegradation,” as usedherein, refer to a material, composition, component of or portion of anarticle, such as an article of footwear for example, that is capable ofbeing decomposed biologically. Further, the terms “biodegrade,”“biodegradable,” and “biodegradation,” as used herein, refer to thedecomposition of an organic material, composition, component of orportion an article, such as an article of footwear for example, by amicroorganism (e.g., a bacteria, a fungi, a microalgae, etc.). The terms“biodegrade,” “biodegradable,” and “biodegradation” may also encompassall stages of biodegradation, including biodeterioration (i.e., asurface-level degradation that modifies the mechanical, physical, orchemical nature or property of a material, composition, or component),biofragmentation (e.g., a process during which chemical bonds within amaterial or composition are cleaved or broken), and/or assimilation(i.e., the process during which the products of biofragmentation areintegrated into or consumed by microbial cells).

Further, the terms “biodegrade,” “biodegradable,” and “biodegradation,”as used herein, refer to a material, composition, component of orportion of an article, such as an article of footwear for example, thatis capable of being decomposed biologically following activation by agiven biological stimulus or stimuli, and/or exposure to a biologicallyactive agent, that promotes decomposition at a rate more rapid than ifthe material, composition, component of or portion of the article offootwear were left to decompose without the biologically active agent.As will be further discussed herein, many factors may determine the rateof biodegradation, including, but not limited to, light, water, oxygen,and/or temperature variations.

Degradation or biodegradation may be identified based on an alterationin the properties of the polymer or material such as reduction inmolecular weight, loss of mechanical strength, loss of surfaceproperties, the breakdown of the material into fragments, a change inthe color or shade of color of the material, a change in the weight ofthe material, change in flexibility of the material, change in toughnessof the material, or release of one or more small molecules from thepolymer, material, or article (e.g., article of footwear, article ofclothing, etc.) including, but not limited to, CO₂, CH₄, and H₂O. Assuch, an emission (or passive emanation) of molecules (e.g., CO₂, CH₄,and H₂O) may be an indication of biodegradation. In other embodiments,degradation or biodegradation may be identified based on the formationof apertures through a material. For example, in particular embodiments,degradation or biodegradation of a material may be identified based onthe formation of apertures having an area between about 1 mm² and about20,000 mm², between about 100 mm² and about 10,000 mm², or between about200 mm² and about 1,000 mm².

FIGS. 1-3 depict an exemplary embodiment of a composite material 100that may be incorporated into an article (such as an article of footwearor clothing), which may include a composite substrate or fabric 102 anda material layer 104. As will be further discussed herein, the compositematerial 100 may include a biologically active agent, and/or a film-likelayer of bacteria or fungi formed by assembly of a matrix ofextracellular polymeric substances that promote cell-to-cell adhesion ofbacteria or fungi. The composite substrate 102 may also promote celladsorption onto a surface, such as the surface of a polymer or materialto be degraded, such as the material layer 104, for example. In thisway, the composite material 100 may be introduced into an article, e.g.,an article of footwear, an article of clothing, a piece of fabricincorporated into an article, a textile material, etc., with a mediumthat promotes the growth and survival of the bacteria or fungi, andmaintains the composite substrate 102 and the composite material 100. Inother aspects, as will be further discussed herein, the compositematerial 100 may be introduced into an article on its own. As shown inFIG. 1, the material layer 104 may be a transparent or semi-transparentlayer. In other embodiments, the material layer 104 may be an opaque ornon-transparent layer, as will be further discussed herein.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, the material layer 104 may engage, beplaced upon, or placed adjacent a composite substrate 102. The compositesubstrate 102 may be a composite material that includes a substrate orbase layer 106 and a biodegradable material or biodegradable medium 108applied to or incorporated into the substrate 106. For example, as shownin FIG. 3A, the composite substrate 102 may include a substrate 106 anda biodegradable material 108 positioned within one or more cavities 110,or, as shown in FIG. 3B, the composite fabric 102 may include asubstrate 106 a and a biodegradable material 108 a positioned thereon.In further embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3C, the composite substrate 102may include a substrate 106 b and a biodegradable material 108 b thereonand therein. Alternatively, as will be further discussed herein, thecomposite material 100 may comprise the composite substrate 102 alone,and may not include a material layer 104. In the embodiments thebiodegradable material 108 is provided in a plurality of cavities 110,the cavities 110 may have an upper opening having a width greater thanabout 1 mm, between about 1 mm to about 30 mm, or between about 3 mm andabout 10 mm.

In certain aspects, the biodegradable material or biodegradable medium108 is integrated in gelatin that is within the caverns or cavities 110,or on the substrate 106. In further aspects, the biodegradable materialor biodegradable medium 108 is an encapsulated medium that includes oneor more microorganisms (e.g., a bacteria, a fungi, a microalgae, etc.),as well as nutrients that may be metabolized by the microorganisms. Insuch embodiments, the microorganisms of the biodegradable material orbiodegradable medium 108 may be sealed or contained within thebiodegradable material or biodegradable medium 108. And, uponactivation, the microorganisms of the biodegradable material orbiodegradable medium 108 may be released to a surrounding environment.For example, in some embodiments, a thin layer of a low molecular weightbiodegradable polymer may extend over a top end of the cavities 110 andseal the biodegradable material 108 therein.

As will be further discussed herein, a stimulus or stimuli may beapplied to the biodegradable material or biodegradable medium 108 tocause activation and, thereby, the release of the one or moremicroorganisms from the biodegradable material or biodegradable medium108. For example, in the instance a thin layer of a low molecular weightbiodegradable polymer extends over a top end of the cavities 110, andseals the biodegradable material 108 therein, a stimulus or stimuli mayfirst cause the biodegradation of the low molecular weight biodegradablepolymer and, resultantly, the release of the microorganisms. Suchstimulus or stimuli may be an amount of pressure, a level of humidity,an amount of heat, etc. The biodegradable material or biodegradablemedium 108 may include one or more nutrients, as noted above, tomaintain survival of the microorganisms therein and, more particularly,maintain survival of the microorganisms until a stimulus or stimuli isapplied to the biodegradable encapsulation, biodegradable material, orbiodegradable medium 108. In some embodiments, the biodegradable medium108 may contain a stimulus or stimuli therein (e.g., an amount of watertherein) that provides activation or the release of the microorganismsfrom the biodegradable medium 108 without a further stimulus or stimuli.

In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thebiodegradable material 108 may be applied to, bonded to, positionedwithin, or positioned on the substrate 106 as a pattern and, inparticular, a pattern of discrete patches. More particularly, as will befurther discussed herein, the biodegradable material 108 may be appliedto, bonded to, positioned within, or positioned on the substrate 106 ina way that is ornamental or visually pleasing (such as a pattern, animage, a geometric shape, etc.), in a way that forms a particular shape(such as a trademark, brand mark, bar code, general geometric shape,etc.), or in a way that provides a particular function once degraded(such as a pattern that provides apertures for optimal or desiredairflow through the article to which the composite material is applied,a pattern that provides a visual indication as to a condition of thearticle to which the composite material is applied, a pattern thatalters a state of the article to which the composite material is appliedto provide an indication as to a condition of the article to which thecomposite material is applied, etc.), and/or combinations thereof.

As noted above, the biodegradable material 108 may be a film-like layerof bacteria or fungi formed by assembly of a matrix of extracellularpolymeric substances that promote cell-to-cell adhesion of bacteria orfungi, and may include a biologically active agent. More particularly,the biodegradable material 108 may include a biologically active agentthat biodegrades at least a portion of the composite material 100, suchas the biodegradable material 108 itself, the material layer 104, and/orthe substrate 106.

FIGS. 4A-4C depict a composite material 150, similar to the compositematerial 100, which includes a material layer 152, a substrate 154, anda biodegradable portion 156, in an initial state of biodegradation (seeFIG. 4A), in a first intermediate state of biodegradation (see FIG. 4B),and in a second intermediate state of biodegradation (see FIG. 4C). Moreparticularly, FIG. 4A depicts a composite material 150 having asubstrate 154 and a biodegradable material 156, neither of which haveundergone biodegradation; FIG. 4B depicts the composite material 150after portions of the biodegradable material 156 have undergonebiodegradation; and FIG. 4C depicts the composite material 150 afterportions of the biodegradable material 156 have undergone furtherbiodegradation.

As noted herein, in some embodiments, the biodegradable material 108 maybe applied to, bonded to, positioned within, or positioned on thesubstrate 106 as a pattern. FIGS. 5A-5C depict a composite material 200,similar to the composite material 100, that includes a material layer202, a substrate 204, and a biodegradable portion 206 in a patterndifferent from that of FIGS. 4A-4C. Still referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, FIG.5A depicts the composite material 200 in an initial state (i.e., a statewithout biodegradation), FIG. 5B depicts the composite material 200 in afirst state of biodegradation and after which portions of thebiodegradable material 206 have undergone biodegradation, and FIG. 5Cdepicts the composite material 200 in a second state of biodegradationand after which portions of the biodegradable material 206 and thematerial layer 202 have undergone biodegradation. In particular, thematerial layer 202 has been degraded by the biologically active agentwithin the biodegradable material 206, such that one or more apertures208 are formed through the material layer 202.

Biologically active agents used in the biodegradation of materials,compositions, components of, and portions of the composite material 100(which may be incorporated into an article, such as an article offootwear for example) described herein may be, but are not limited to,microorganisms such as a bacteria, an actinobacteria, a proteobacteria,a bacteroidetes, a fungi, a yeast, an algae, or a protozoa.

Suitable microorganisms for use in the biodegradation of materials,compositions, components of, and portions of the composite material ofan article, e.g., an article of footwear, described herein are known andused in the art, see for example, Yoshida et al. (“A bacterium thatdegrades and assimilates poly(ethylene terephthalate),” Science, 2016,351(6278):1196-1199), Pathak and Navneet (“Review on the current statusof polymer degradation: a microbial approach,” Bioresources andBioprocessing, 2017, 4:15), Shah et al. (“Microbial degradation ofaliphatic and aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters,” Appl MicrobiolBiotechnol, 2014, 98:3437-3447), and Abdel-Motaal et al.(“Biodegradation of ploy (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) film and foam plastic byPseudozyma japonica sp. nov., a novel cutinolytic ustilaginomycetousyeast species,” 3 Biotech, 2014, 4:507-512), all of which areincorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

In some aspects, the microorganism to be chosen as the biologicallyactive agent for the composite material 100 may be matched to thematerial, compositions, or portion of the article, or article offootwear designed to be degraded or biodegraded. For example, thebiologically active agent for the composite material 100 may be matchedwith the particular material used to construct the biodegradable portion108 of the composite substrate 102 or the particular material used toconstruct the material layer 104. For instance, the microorganismsIdeonella sakaiensis may be used to degrade poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) plastic material. As such, in an instance where an article, suchas an article of footwear or article of clothing, includes a compositematerial 100 having a material layer 104, or biodegradable material 108,composed of poly(ethylene terephthalate), the biodegradable material 108may include Ideonella sakaiensis as a biologically active agent therein,if the material layer 104 or biodegradable material 108 is designed tobe degraded or biodegraded by the biodegradable material 108.

As another example, the biologically active agent for the biodegradablematerial 108 may be selected based on the particular portion of anarticle, or particular location along the article, to which thecomposite material 100 is applied. For instance, as will be furtherdiscussed herein, it may be desired that a particular portion of anarticle of clothing that experiences higher body temperature, such as anarmpit region of an article of clothing, may degrade or biodegradequicker or may have a faster speed of degradation or biodegradation,than another portion of an article of clothing that experiences a lowerbody temperature or another portion of an article of clothing thatprovides support or stability to the article of clothing, such as a neckor hip region of an article of clothing.

Suitable and exemplary microorganisms and the corresponding materialthey are known to degrade are provided in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Biologically active agents for biodegradation of a component ofor a portion of an article of footwear. Microorganisms MaterialsIdeonella sakaiensis; Ideonella sakaiensis poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) strain 201-F6; Thermobifida alba Est119; T. cellulosilyticaDSM44535 Pseudomonas putida Naphthalene Pseudomonas putida PolystyrenePseudomonas putida; Comamonas Polyurethane acidovorans TB-35; Curvulariasenegalensis; Fusarium solani; Aureobasidium pullulans; Cladosporiumsp.; Trichoderma DIA-T spp.; Trichoderma sp.; Pestalotiopsis microsporaBrevibacillus borstelensis; Comamonas Polyethylene acidovorans TB-35;Pseudomonas chlororaphis; P. aeruginosa; P. fluorescens; Rhodococcuserythropolis; R. rubber; R. rhodochrous; Staphylococcus cohnii; S.epidermidis; S. xylosus; Streptomyces badius; S. setonii; S.viridosporus; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; B. brevis; B. cereus; B.circulans; B. circulans; B. halodenitrificans; B. mycoides; B. pumilus;B. sphaericus; B. thuringiensis; Arthrobacter paraffineus; A. viscosus;Acinetobacter baumannii; Microbacterium paraoxydans; Nocardia asteroids;Micrococcus luteus; M. lylae; Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus; Aspergillusniger; A. versicolor; A. flavus; Cladosporium cladosporioides; Fusariumredolens; Fusarium spp. AF4; Penicillium simplicissimum YK; P.simplicissimum; P. pinophilum; P. frequentans; Phanerochaetechrysosporium; Verticillium lecanii; Glioclodium virens; Mucorcircinelloides; Acremonium Kiliense; Phanerochaete chrysosporiumPseudomonas fluorescens B-22; P. putida AJ; Polyvinyl chloride P.chlororaphis; Ochrobactrum TD; Aspergillus niger Pseudomonas lemoignei;Alcaligenes Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) faecalis; Schlegelellathermodepolymerans; Aspergillus fumigatus; Penicillium spp.; Penicilliumfuniculosum; Ilyobacter delafieldii; B. thuringiensis; Alcaligenesfaecalis Clostridium botulinum; C. acetobutylicum;Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- Streptomyces sp. SNG9; B. thuringiensishydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) Bacillus brevis; Clostridium botulinum; C.acetobutylicum; Polycaprolactone (PCL) Amycolatopsis sp.; Fusariumsolani; Aspergillus flavus; Pseudozyma japonica Y7-09; R. depolymeransstrain TB- 87; Leptothrix sp. strain TB-71; P. antarctica JCM 10317;Cryptococcus sp. strain S2; Penicillium roquefort; Amycolatopsis sp.;Polylactic acid Bacillus brevis; Rhizopus delemar R. depolymerans strainTB-87; Leptothrix sp. Poly(ethylene succinate) (PES) strain TB-71;Streptomyces coelicolor 1A; Pseudomonas Poly(cis-1,4-isoprene)citronellolis R. depolymerans strain TB-87; P. antarctica Poly(butylenesuccinate) (PBS) JCM 10317; A. oryzae RIB40 R. depolymerans strainTB-87; Leptothrix sp. Poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) strainTB-71; P. antarctica JCM 10317 Leptothrix sp. strain TB-71; P.antarctica Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) JCM 10317; Cryptococcus sp. strainS2; Paenebacillus amylolyticus; R. depolymerans strain TB-87; Leptothrixsp. Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) strain TB-71; (PBAT) R.depolymerans strain TB-87; Leptothrix sp. Poly(butylenesuccinate-co-terephthalate) strain TB-71; (PBST) R. depolymerans strainTB-87; Leptothrix sp. Poly(butylene strain TB-71;succinate/terephthalate/isophthalate-co- lactate) (PBSTIL) T. fusca; T.lanuginosus; Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) P. lemoigneiPolyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) P. fluorescens Polyhydroxyoctanoate (PHO)

In some embodiments, biologically active agents used in thebiodegradable portion 108 and used in the biodegradation of materials,compositions, components of and portions of the composite material 100of an article, such as an article of footwear, described herein may be arecombinant microorganism genetically engineered to express one or moremetabolic enzymes from a microorganism known to be active in thebiodegradation of a material or composition. For example, thebiologically active agents used in the biodegradable portion 108 may bea microorganism genetically engineered to express one or more metabolicenzymes that cause hydrolysis of a biopolymer during a process ofbiodeterioration, fragmentation of the biopolymer during a process ofbiofragmentation, and absorption or consumption of the fragments of thebiopolymer during a process of assimilation. In further embodiments, thebiologically active agents used in the biodegradable portion 108 andused in the biodegradation of materials, composition, components of andportions of the composite material 100 of an article, such as an articleof footwear, may be a microorganism engineered to excrete an organicacid as a metabolite by means of microbial metabolism by themicroorganism.

For example, the biologically active agent may be a microorganismgenetically engineered to express poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolase(Genbank accession number GAP38373.1), mono(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalicacid hydrolase (Genbank accession number GAP38911.1), terephthalicacid-1,2-dioxygenase, 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dicarboxylatedehydrogenase, PCA 3,4-dioxygenase, or combinations thereof, fromIdeonella sakaiensis. Metabolic enzymes or other genes of interest foruse in genetically engineering a recombinant microorganism for use as abiologically active agent may include, but are not limited to,esterases, lipases, proteases, PHA depolymerases, cutinases,monooxygenases, dioxygenases, hydrolases, dehydrogenases,carrinoid-dependent enzymes, and an alginate-producing gene to enhancebiofilm formation (e.g., algC). Even further, the biologically activeagent may be a microorganism that excretes or releases an organic acid,such as lactate, acetate, H₂SO₄.

Still further, in some embodiments, the biologically active agent usedin, or encapsulated within, the biodegradable portion 108 may bemetabolic enzymes or organic acids produced by a microorganism, but thebiodegradable portion 108 may not contain the microorganism itself.

The biologically active agents used in the biodegradable portion 108 andused in the biodegradation of materials, compositions, components of andportions of an article, such as an article of footwear for example,described herein may be contained in or delivered to an article in anymedium suitable for survival and growth of the biologically activeagents.

For example, the medium may be in any form including, but not limitedto, a gel, a hydrogel, a liquid, a cream, an oil, a foam, a paste, apowder, or a film. Components of the medium may include, but are notlimited to, agar, agarose, peptone, polypeptone, glucose, yeast extract,malt extract, polyethylene glycol, salts (e.g., sodium hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO₃), ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄), calcium carbonate(CaCO₃), magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄), and sodium chloride (NaCl)), buffers(e.g., phosphate buffer, Tris buffer, sodium acetate buffer, and citratebuffer), vitamins (e.g., thiamine, niacin, aminobenzoic acid,pyridoxal-HCl, panthothenate, biotin, and vitamin B12), trace elements,water, solvents (e.g., methanol and ethanol), or combinations thereof.

The pH of the medium may be adjusted to support the growth and survivalof the biologically active agent. For example, the pH may be, but is notlimited to, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5,8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, or 11.0. The medium may also include alow-crystallinity or low-density polymer such as, but not limited to,low-density polyethylene (LDPE), low-crystallinity PET film, lowmolecular weight polycaprolactine film, p-nitrophenyl butyrate, andp-nitrophenyl palmitate. In some embodiments, the medium includes alow-crystallinity (e.g., 1.9%) PET film to support the survival andgrowth of the microorganism selected as the biologically active agent.

One or more additives may also be added to the medium, the biodegradableportion 108, or other portion of the composite material 100 to tune thedegradability or biodegradability of the material, composition,component of or portion of the article to which the composite material100 or biodegradable portion 108 is applied. Additives may include, butare not limited to, benzophenone, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polyesters,or another type of additive.

Additionally, the composite material 100 and, more particularly, thesubstrate 106 or the material layer 104 may include a polymer material.The polymer material to be used in an article, such as an article offootwear, may include an organic filler such as, but not limited to,eggshell, coconut, abaca, kenaf, seaweed, rice straw, sisal, coffeehusk, corn stover, wood shavings, and sawdust. The inclusion of anorganic filler(s) in the polymer material may enhance the degradation orbiodegradation, or may allow for the tuning of the timing and/or degreeof degradation or biodegradation. For example, as previously discussedherein, it may be desired that a particular portion of an article ofclothing that experiences higher body temperature, such as an armpitregion of an article of clothing, may degrade quicker or may have afaster speed of degradation, than another portion of an article ofclothing that experiences a lower body temperature or another portion ofan article of clothing that provides support or stability to the articleof clothing, such as a neck or hip region of an article of clothing. Assuch, in one particular embodiment, an armpit region of an article ofclothing may be composed of a composite material 100 with an organicfiller and a neck region of an article of clothing may be composed of acomposite material 100 that lacks an organic filler, so that the armpitregion of the article of clothing degrades quicker than the neck regionthereof.

In other embodiments, an article having a uniform rate of degradation orbiodegradation may be desired and, in such embodiments, the article mayinclude organic fillers to provide uniform degradation orbiodegradation. For example, portions that are warmer or portions of anarticle that experience higher body temperatures may degrade orbiodegrade at a faster rate than other areas of the article, such asareas that experience lower body temperatures. As such, areas thatdegrade or biodegrade at a slower rate may include an organic filler toaccelerate the rate of degradation or biodegradation thereof to a ratethat is approximately equal to the area or portion of the article thatexperiences a faster rate of degradation or biodegradation.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, the biologically active agentmay be introduced into an article, such as an article of footwear, as abiofilm. As used herein, the term “biofilm” refers to a film-like layerof bacteria or fungi formed by assembly of a matrix of extracellularpolymeric substances which promote cell-to-cell adhesion of bacteria orfungi. A biofilm, such as the composite substrate 102, may promote celladsorption onto a surface, such as the surface of a polymer or materialto be degraded. The composite material 100 may be introduced into anarticle, such as an article of footwear, on its own or it may beintroduced with a medium that promotes the growth and survival of thebacteria or fungi as well as maintenance of the composite material 100,and the biodegradable portion 108 thereof. In some embodiments, one ormore dyes may be added to the composite material 100 (or the componentsthereof) to visualize biofilm formation and growth or to color thecomposite material 100 (or components thereof) for use in an article,such as an article of footwear. More particularly, the biodegradableportion or biodegradable medium 108 may contain a dye and, uponactivation by a stimulus or stimuli, the dye may be released from thebiodegradable portion or biodegradable medium 108 and into or onto asurrounding environment. For example, the biodegradable medium 108 maybe a sealed encapsulation that includes a biologically active agent anda dye and, upon activation by a stimulus or stimuli, may release the dyeto a surrounding substrate or fabric (e.g. the substrate 106) and alterthe color or appearance of the surrounding substrate or fabric.

Optionally, the medium containing the biologically active microorganismmay be embedded within or on the composite material 100, such as a partof a nano-filler within the composite material 100, the compositesubstrate 102, or the biodegradable portion 108, for example. In furtherembodiments, the medium containing the biologically active microorganismmay be contained within one of more cavities within an article (e.g.,the cavities 110). Even further, the medium containing the biologicallyactive microorganism may be remote from an article and may be applied tothe article by a user. For example, in some embodiments discussedherein, the medium containing the biologically active microorganism maybe a fluid spray or aerosol composition and, when desired, may beapplied, sprayed, or otherwise distributed on an article by a user.

In some embodiments, a stimulus or stimuli may be used to prompt,accelerate, or deaccelerate degradation. For example, in some aspects,the stimulus or stimuli used to prompt or accelerate degradation orbiodegradation may include, but are not limited to, variations intemperature (such as increases or decreases in heat), sweat, light, UVlight, a change in pressure, a change in humidity, a change in pH,exposure to a liquid (e.g., water, salt water, acidic solution, basicsolution), exposure to a gas (e.g., CO₂, NH₃, O₂), or a solvent.

The stimulus or stimuli may prompt, accelerate, or deceleratedegradation or biodegradation after a single exposure by one or morestimulants or stimuli, or the degradation or biodegradation may be tunedto respond after repeated exposure to the stimulus, stimuli, or a groupof stimuli. In one aspect, the stimulus or stimuli may be body heat orsweat from the user. In another aspect, the stimulus or stimuli may bean environmental stimulus or stimuli, such as exposure to one or morenatural elements including weather conditions, humidity, or pressure andthe degradation may be tuned to respond to an environmental stimulus orstimuli after a particular threshold is reached or period of time haselapsed. In yet another aspect, the stimulus or stimuli may be avariation in temperature and the degradation may be tuned to respond tothe temperature or change in temperature after a particular threshold isreached or a period of time has elapsed. In still another aspect, thestimulus or stimuli may be light of a given wavelength, such as UVlight, visible light, or infrared radiation, or it may be a broadspectrum of light, and the degradation may be tuned to respond to thelight after a particular threshold is reached or a period of time haselapsed.

In some particular embodiments, degradation or biodegradation isactivated at temperature between about 30° C. and about 80° C. (e.g.,25° C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C.,70° C., 75° C., 80° C. or 85° C.) In some embodiments, degradation orbiodegradation is activated at a humidity between about 20% relativehumidity and about 100% relative humidity (e.g., 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or100%). In some embodiments, the degradation or biodegradation is lessactive or completely inactivated at temperatures below 30° C., below 25°C., below 20° C., below 15° C., below 10° C., below 5° C. or below 0° C.In some embodiments, the degradation or biodegradation is less active orcompletely inactivated at a humidity below 20%, below 15%, below 10%,below 5%, or below 2%.

It should be understood that the timing and duration of the degradationor biodegradation of the material, composition, or portion of anarticle, such as an article of footwear, may be tuned or controlledbased on a variety of factors. For example, the particular materialsused for the composite material 100, the materials used for thecomposite substrate 102, including materials used for the substrate 106and/or the biodegradable portion 108, including materials used for thebiologically active microorganism, the medium containing thebiologically active microorganism, additives, organic fillers, etc., andthe materials used for the material layer 104 may be chosen to providean article having a particular degree or particular speed ofbiodegradation. In further embodiments, an article (and the timing andduration of the degradation thereof) may be tuned or controlled based onthe particular use of the article and/or the particular use of anarticle that may include the article having the biodegradable portion.For instance, an article of footwear may include a component thereof,e.g., a portion of an upper of the article of footwear, that is tuned tobiodegrade after a predetermined time of use (e.g., after travelingabout 150 kilometers, after traveling about 300 kilometers, aftertraveling about 400 kilometers, after traveling about 500 kilometers,after traveling about 600 kilometers, after traveling about 700kilometers, after traveling about 800 kilometers, after traveling about900 kilometers, or after traveling about 1000 kilometers). In oneaspect, a component of an article of footwear utilized for low mileageor small distances, such as a racing flat, may be tuned to degrade orvisually alter after a predetermined distance of between about 150kilometers and about 500 kilometers of usage. In another aspect, acomponent of an article of footwear utilized for high mileage or longerdistances, such as a training shoe, may be tuned to degrade or visuallyalter after a predetermined distance of between about 500 kilometers andabout 800 kilometers of usage. As such, and as will be further discussedherein, the portion of the article of footwear incorporating thebiodegradable portion may provide an indication as to when the articleof footwear should be replaced or after the user has completed a task(e.g., the completion of a marathon).

In other aspects, the timing and duration of the degradation orbiodegradation of a material, composition, or portion of an article,such as an article of footwear or article of clothing, may be tuned orcontrolled based on a predetermined rate of biodegradation that providesan article of footwear or article of clothing, for example, thatincludes a variety of ornamental or aesthetic appearances over thelifetime thereof. For instance, an article of footwear or an article ofclothing, or a component thereof, may be tuned to biodegrade after apredetermined time (e.g., after 12 hours, after 24 hours, after 2 days,after 3 days, after 4 days, after 5 days, after 6 days, after a week,after two weeks, after three weeks, after four weeks, after a month,after 2 months, after 3 months, after 6 months, after a year, etc.) toprovide a new and ornamental appearance. For example, as will be furtherdiscussed herein, an article of footwear or article of clothing maychange in appearance (e.g., color, shape, texture, etc.) after apredetermined time of use and, thereby, provide an article thatcontinuously changes in style.

In further aspects, the timing and duration of the degradation orbiodegradation of a material, composition, or portion of an article,such as an article of footwear or article of clothing, may be tuned orcontrolled based on a predetermined rate of biodegradation. Forinstance, an article of footwear or an article of clothing may include acomponent thereof that is tuned to biodegrade after a predetermined time(e.g., after 12 hours, after 24 hours, after 2 days, after 3 days, after4 days, after 5 days, after 6 days, after a week, after two weeks, afterthree weeks, after four weeks, after a month, after 2 months, after 3months, after 6 months, after a year, etc.). In particular embodiments,an article of footwear or an article of clothing may include a componentthereof that is tuned to biodegrade after a predetermined time and,resultantly, provide an indication as to whether the user thereofreceives a prize or wins a contest. In one particular aspect, an articleof footwear or an article of clothing may be tuned to biodegrade after apredetermined time between about 1 week and about a month, andresultantly display an indication (e.g., indicia, a color, text, etc.)that the user of the article of footwear or clothing receives a prize orwins a contest (e.g., a sweepstakes).

In even further aspects, the timing and duration of the degradation orbiodegradation of a material, composition, or portion of an article,such as an article of footwear or article of clothing, may be tuned orcontrolled so that biodegradation is only possible for a predeterminedamount of time. For instance, an article of footwear or an article ofclothing may include a component thereof that is tuned to biodegrade foronly a predetermined amount of time (e.g., after 12 hours, after 24hours, after 2 days, after 3 days, after 4 days, after 5 days, after 6days, after a week, after two weeks, after three weeks, after fourweeks, after a month, after 2 months, after 3 months, after 6 months,after a year, etc.), and then cease to biodegrade thereafter. Forexample, an article of footwear or clothing may include a biodegradableportion 108 and/or material layer 104 having a biologically activemicroorganism with a lifetime of a predetermined length (e.g., a week, amonth, a year, etc.), which allows the biodegradable portion 108 or thematerial layer 104 to biodegrade for that predetermined length of time,but cease to biodegrade thereafter. As such, the biodegradable portion(e.g., the biodegradable portion 108 and/or the material layer 104) ofthe article of footwear or article of clothing may provide an indicationas to the extent of wear, exercise, or activity during thatpredetermined length of time (e.g., the more a user exercises, the morethe article biodegrades).

In still further aspects, the timing and duration of the degradation orbiodegradation of a material, composition, or portion of an article,such as an article of footwear or article of clothing, may be tuned orcontrolled so that biodegradation provides an indication ofenvironmental exposure for a user. For example, as discussed herein, thedegradation or biodegradation of an article may be prompted oraccelerated based on environmental factors, including, but not limitedto variations in temperature, light, UV light, a change in pressure, achange in humidity, a change in pH, exposure to a liquid (e.g., water,salt water, acidic solution, basic solution), and/or exposure to a gas(e.g., CO₂, NH₃, O₂). Therefore, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure, an article of footwear or article of clothing may degrade orbiodegrade after a certain amount of exposure to CO₂, for example,and/or may degrade or biodegrade when there are heightened amounts ofCO₂ in the atmosphere.

As will be further discussed herein, numerous modifications to thepresent invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in viewof the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description, and theaforementioned examples, are to be construed as illustrative only andare presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art tomake and use embodiments of the present disclosure, and to teach thebest mode of carrying out same.

FIGS. 6-8 depict an exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear 300that may include the composite material 100, or individual componentsthereof. In this embodiment, the article of footwear 300 includes a solestructure 302 and an upper 304, which may be attached to the solestructure 302 and together may define an interior cavity 306 into whicha foot may be inserted.

In order to provide points of reference and specifically referring toFIG. 8A, the article of footwear 300 may be defined by a forefoot region310, a midfoot region 312, and a heel region 314 (see FIGS. 7, 8A, and8B). Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the forefoot region 310 may generallycorrespond with portions of the article of footwear 300 that encaseportions of a foot 316 that include the toes or phalanges 318, the ballof the foot 320, and joints 322 that connect the metatarsals 324 of thefoot 316 with the toes or phalanges 318. The midfoot region 312 isproximate to the forefoot region 310 and adjoins the forefoot region310. The midfoot region 312 generally corresponds with portions of thearticle of footwear 300 that encase the arch of a foot 316, along withthe bridge 328 of the foot 316. The heel region 314 is proximate to themidfoot region 312 and adjoins the midfoot region 312. The heel region314 generally corresponds with portions of the article of footwear 300that encase rear portions of the foot 316, including the heel orcalcaneus bone 330, the ankle 332, and/or the Achilles tendon (notshown).

Referring back to FIGS. 6-8, the article of footwear 300 also includes amedial side 350 and a lateral side 352. In particular, the lateral side352 corresponds to an outside portion of the article of footwear 300 andthe medial side 350 corresponds to an inside portion of the article offootwear 300. As such, a left article of footwear and a right article offootwear have opposing lateral and medial sides, such that the medialsides 350 are closest to one another when a user is wearing the articlesof footwear 300, while the lateral sides 352 are defined as the sidesthat are farthest from one another while being worn. As will bediscussed in greater detail below, the medial side 350 and the lateralside 352 adjoin one another along a longitudinal central plane or axis354 of the article of footwear 300. As will be further discussed herein,the longitudinal central plane or axis 354 may demarcate a centralintermediate axis between the medial side 350 and the lateral side 352of the article of footwear 300. Put differently, the longitudinal planeor axis 354 may extend between a rear, distal end 356 of the article offootwear 300 and a front, distal end 358 of the article of footwear 300and may continuously define a middle of an insole 360, the solestructure 302, and/or the upper 304 of the article of footwear 300,i.e., the longitudinal plane or axis 354 is a straight axis extendingthrough the rear, distal end 356 of the heel region 314 and to thefront, distal end 358 of the forefoot region 310.

Certain aspects of the disclosure may refer to portions or elements thatare coextensive with one or more of the forefoot region 310, the midfootregion 312, the heel region 314, the medial side 350, and/or the lateralside 352. Further, both the upper 304 and the sole structure 302 may becharacterized as having portions within the forefoot region 310, themidfoot region 312, the heel region 314, and on the medial side 350 andthe lateral side 352. Therefore, the upper 304 and the sole structure302, and/or individual portions of the upper 304 and the sole structure302, may include portions thereof that are disposed within the forefootregion 310, the midfoot region 312, the heel region 314, and on themedial side 350 and the lateral side 352.

Unless otherwise specified herein, and specifically referring to the topplan view of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the forefoot region 310, the midfootregion 312, the heel region 314, the medial side 350, and the lateralside 352 are intended to define boundaries or areas of the article offootwear 300. To that end, although the forefoot region 310, midfootregion 312, heel region 314, medial side 350, and lateral side 352 havebeen generally defined above, it should be understood that the forefootregion 310, the midfoot region 312, the heel region 310, the medial side350, and the lateral side 352 may also be characterized as exactsections of the article of footwear 300, in particular embodiments. Assuch, particular reference to the forefoot region 310, the midfootregion 312, the heel region 314, the medial side 350, and/or the lateralside 352 may be defined in both general terms to provide reference toparticular portions of the article of footwear and exact terms toprovide discrete boundaries across an article of footwear, such as thearticle of footwear 300.

For example, it should be understood that numerous modifications may beapparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoingdescription and the composite material 100, and individual componentsthereof, may be incorporated into numerous articles of footwear.Accordingly, aspects of the article of footwear 300 and componentsthereof (e.g., the composite material 100 incorporated therein), may bedescribed with reference to general areas or portions of the article offootwear 300, with an understanding the boundaries of the forefootregion 310, the midfoot region 312, the heel region 314, the medial side350, and/or the lateral side 352 as described herein may vary betweenarticles of footwear.

However, aspects of the article of footwear 300 and individualcomponents thereof, may also be described with reference to exact areasor portions of the article of footwear 300 and the scope of the appendedclaims herein may incorporate the limitations associated with theseboundaries of the forefoot region 310, the midfoot region 312, the heelregion 314, the medial side 350, and/or the lateral side 352 discussedherein.

In light of the above, and with continued reference to the top plan viewof FIGS. 8A and 8B, the forefoot region 310, the midfoot region 312, theheel region 314, the medial side 350, and the lateral side 352 are shownin greater detail. The forefoot region 310 extends from a toe end orfront distal end 358 to a widest portion 400 of a forefoot region 310 ofthe article of footwear 300. In particular aspects, the forefoot region310 may extend from a toe end or front distal end 358 to a widestportion of an insole 360, a sole structure 302, and/or an upper 304 ofthe article of footwear 300. The widest portion 400 may be defined ormeasured along a line 402 that is perpendicular with respect to thelongitudinal, central axis 354 that extends from a front distal end 358of the forefoot region 310 to a rear distal end 356 of the heel region314 of the article of footwear 300, which is opposite the front distalend 358 of the forefoot region 310. The widest portion 400 of thearticle of footwear 300 may also be generally defined by the portion ofthe article of footwear 300 that encases the portion of the foot 316 atwhich point a proximal phalanx, or proximal phalange 318, connects tothe metatarsal 324 of the foot 316.

The midfoot region 312 extends from the widest portion 400 to a thinnestportion 404 of the article of footwear 300. The thinnest portion 404 ofthe article of footwear 300 is defined as the thinnest portion of theinsole 360, the sole structure 302, and/or the upper 304 of the articleof footwear 300, measured across a line 406 that is perpendicular withrespect to the longitudinal, central axis 354. The heel region 314 ofthe article of footwear 300 extends from the thinnest portion 404 of theinsole 360, the sole structure 302, and/or the upper 304 of the articleof footwear 300 and to the rear distal end 356 of the article offootwear 300.

Still referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the medial side 350 begins at therear distal end 356 and bows outward along an inner side of the articleof footwear 300 along the heel region 314 toward the midfoot region 312.The medial side 350 reaches a widest heel portion 450 at which point themedial side 350 bows inward, toward the central, longitudinal axis 354.The medial side 350 extends from the widest heel portion 450 and towardthe thinnest portion 404, at which point the medial side 350 enters intothe midfoot region 312 (i.e., upon crossing the line 406). From thethinnest portion 404, the medial side 350 bows outward, away from thelongitudinal, central axis 354 and toward the widest portion 400, atwhich point the medial side 350 extends into the forefoot region 310(i.e., upon crossing the line 402). Once at the widest portion 400, themedial side 350 bows inward toward the front distal end 358, andterminates at a point where the medial side 350 meets the longitudinal,center axis 354.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the lateral side 352 also beginsat the rear distal end 356 of the heel region 314 and bows outward alongan outer side of the article of footwear 300 along the heel region 314toward the midfoot region 312. The lateral side 352 reaches the widestheel portion 450, at which point the lateral side 352 bows inward,toward the longitudinal, central axis 354. The lateral side 352 extendsfrom the widest heel portion 450 and toward the thinnest portion 404, atwhich point the lateral side 352 enters into the midfoot region 312(i.e., upon crossing the line 406). From the thinnest portion 404, thelateral side 352 bows outward, away from the longitudinal, central axis354 toward the widest portion 400, at which point the lateral side 352extends into the forefoot region 310 (i.e., upon crossing the line 402).Once at the widest portion 400, the lateral side 352 bows inward towardthe front distal end 358, and terminates at a point where the lateralside 352 meets the longitudinal, center axis 354.

Referring back to FIGS. 6-8, the sole structure 302 is connected orsecured to the upper 304 and extends between a foot of a user and theground when the article of footwear 300 is worn by the user. The solestructure 302 may also include one or more components, which may includean outsole, a midsole, a heel, a vamp, and/or an insole. For example, insome embodiments, a sole structure may include an outsole that providesstructural integrity to the sole structure, along with providingtraction for a user, a midsole that provides a cushioning system, and aninsole that provides support for an arch of a user.

Still referencing FIGS. 6-8 and 10, the sole structure 302 of thepresent embodiment may be characterized by an outsole region 480, amidsole region 482, and an insole or insole region 360 (see FIG. 8A andFIG. 10). The outsole region 480, the midsole region 482, and the insoleregion 360, and/or any components thereof, may include portions withinthe forefoot region 310, the midfoot region 312, and/or the heel region314. Further, the outsole region 480, the midsole region 482, and theinsole region 360, and/or any components thereof, may include portionson the lateral side 352 and/or the medial side 350. The outsole region480, the midsole region 482, and the insole region 360 are not intendedto define precise or exact areas of the sole structure 302. Rather, theoutsole region 380, the midsole region 482, and the insole region 360are generally defined herein to aid in discussion of the sole structure302 and components thereof.

In other instances, the outsole region 480 may be defined as a portionof the sole structure 302 that at least partially contacts an exteriorsurface (e.g., the ground), when the article of footwear 300 is worn,the insole region 360 may be defined as a portion of the sole structure302 that at least partially contacts a user's foot when the article offootwear is worn, and the midsole region 482 may be defined as at leasta portion of the sole structure 302 that extends between and connectsthe outsole region 380 with the insole region 360.

The upper 304, as shown in FIGS. 6-8, extends upwardly from the solestructure 302 and defines the interior cavity 306 that receives andsecures a foot of a user. The upper 304 may be defined by a foot region500 and an ankle region 502, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In general, thefoot region 500 extends upwardly from the sole structure 302 and throughthe forefoot region 310, the midfoot region 312, and the heel region314. The ankle region 502 is primarily located in the heel region 516;however, in some embodiments, the ankle region 502 may partially extendinto the midfoot region 514.

The article of footwear 300 may also have a tightening system 520 (seeFIG. 9, for example, which depicts another aspect of the article offootwear) that includes a lace 522, a plurality of apertures 524, and aplurality of bands or lacing straps (not shown). For example, lacingstraps may extend from the apertures 524 and the lace 522 may extendthrough loops or eyelets of the lacing straps. Further, in someembodiments, the lacing straps may be elastic bands. The tighteningsystem 520 may allow a user to modify dimensions of the upper 304, e.g.,to tighten or loosen portions of the upper 304, around a foot as desiredby the wearer. The tightening system 520 may also include a band (notshown) that runs along a center of the upper 304 and includes one ormore loops through which the lace 522 may be guided. In otherembodiments, the tightening system 520 may be a hook-and-loop fasteningsystem, such as Velcro®. For example, in some embodiments, thetightening system 520 may include one or more hook-and-loop fasteningstraps. In further embodiments, the tightening system 520 may be anotherlaceless fastening system known in the art.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6-8, the upper 304 may extend alongthe lateral side 352 and the medial side 350, and may extend across theforefoot region 310, the midfoot region 312, and the heel region 314 tohouse, enclose, or encase a foot of a user. The upper 304 may alsoinclude an apex, which in some embodiments, is the longitudinal, centralaxis 354 that defines the boundary between the lateral side 352 and themedial side 352 of the upper 304. In instances where the longitudinal,central axis 354 defines the apex of the upper 304, the lateral side 352of the upper 304 may be the outside portion of the upper 304 thatextends from the apex and the medial side 350 of the upper may be theinside portion of the upper 304 that extends from the apex.

In this particular embodiment, the upper 304 also includes an interiorsurface 540 and an exterior surface 542. The interior surface 540 facesinward and generally defines the interior space 306, and the exteriorsurface 542 of the upper 304 faces outward and generally defines anouter perimeter of the upper 304. The upper 304 also includes an opening544 that is at least partially located in the heel region 314 of thearticle of footwear 300, that provides access to the interior space 306and through which a foot may be inserted and removed. In someembodiments, the upper 304 may also include an instep area 546 thatextends from the opening 544 in the heel region 314 over an areacorresponding to an instep of a foot to an area adjacent the forefootregion 310.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the upper 304 comprises an outerlayer 548, an instep layer 550, and a collar layer 552. Moreparticularly, the outer layer 548 extends upwardly from the solestructure 302 along the forefoot region 310, the midfoot region 312, andthe heel region 314 to a boundary 554. In this embodiment, the boundary554 defines a transition point, at which point, the upper 304transitions from the outer layer 548 to the instep layer 550 and/or theupper 504 transitions from the outer layer 548 to the collar layer 552.More particularly, the boundary 554 defines a portion of the upper 304where the instep layer 550 begins to extend upward from the outer layer548, or defines a portion of the upper 304 where the collar layer 552begins to extend upward from the outer layer 548. In some embodiments,the instep layer 550 and the collar layer 552 may be both generallyreferred to as a second layer 550, 552.

The boundary 554 may extend around a periphery of the upper 304; througheach of the forefoot region 310, the midfoot region 312, and the heelregion 314; and/or across the medial side 350 and the lateral side 352of the article of footwear 300. Therefore, portions of the instep layer550 may be within the forefoot region 310, the midfoot region 312, andthe heel region 314, and along the medial side 350 and/or the lateralside 352. Further, portions of the collar layer 552 may be within theheel region 314 and/or partially within the midfoot region 312.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8 and 10, the instep layer550 extends from the forefoot region 310 and through the midfoot region312, and the collar layer 552 is located in the ankle region of the heelregion 314. In other embodiments, the instep layer 550 may extendpartially or fully into and through the forefoot region 310, and/orpartially or fully into and through the heel region 314. Further, insome embodiments, the collar layer 552 may extend at least partiallyinto the midfoot region 312.

As discussed hereinafter, in some embodiments, the boundary 554 maydefine a portion of the upper 304 where the properties associated withthe instep layer 550 and/or the collar layer 552, e.g., a stitch type, ayarn type, or characteristics associated with different stitch types oryarn types, such as elasticity, aesthetic appearance, thickness, airpermeability, or scuff-resistance, may be varied from the outer layer548 or other portions of the upper 304. For example, the upper 304, andthe individual components thereof (e.g., the outer layer 548, the insteplayer 550, and the collar layer 552) may be individually formed using avariety of elements, textiles, polymers (including foam polymers andpolymer sheets), leather, synthetic leather, etc. Further, the upper304, and the individual components thereof, may be joined togetherthrough bonding, stitching, or by a seam to create the upper 304.

In one aspect, as will be further discussed herein, the upper 304 of thearticle of footwear 300 may be formed from one or more knittedstructures or knitted components. In such aspects, the knittedcomponents may include various types of yarn, or other textile material,that may provide a variety of different properties to the upper 304. Forexample, one area of the upper 304 may be formed or constructed from afirst type of yarn or material that imparts or instills a first set ofproperties, and another area of the upper 304 may be formed from asecond type of yarn or material that imparts or instills a second set ofproperties. As such, particular portions of the upper 304 may include avariety of distinct properties. As an example, in one embodiment, theouter layer 548 may include the composite material 100 and, thereby, mayinclude a biologically active agent and a material that degrades orbiodegrades; however, the instep layer 550 and/or the collar layer 552may include a material that does not degrade or biodegrade when exposedto the biologically active agent.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8, the outer layer 548 isa uniform structure that continuously circumscribes an entire upperperimeter of the sole structure 302. However, in other embodiments, theouter layer 548 may include a plurality of sections, such as a forefootouter layer, a midfoot outer layer, and/or a heel outer layer that maybe connected to form the outer layer 548. For example, in theseembodiments, the forefoot outer layer, the midfoot outer layer, and theheel outer layer may be connected by one or more seams to form the outerlayer 548.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the upper 304 may also include a plurality oflayers, including a top layer 600, an intermediate layer 602, and a baselayer 604. In the present embodiment, an inner surface (not shown) ofthe base layer 604 is the interior surface 540 that defines the interiorspace 306, and the intermediate layer 602 is positioned on the baselayer 604 and between the top layer 600 and the base layer 604. The baselayer 604 may extend from the sole structure 302 on both the lateralside 352 and the medial side 350, and/or across the instep region 546.In particular aspects, the base layer 602 may extend upwardly from thesole structure 302 along the forefoot region 310, the midfoot region312, and/or the heel region 314, and across the instep region 546 and/orinto an ankle region 502.

In another aspect, as discussed herein, the base layer 604 may extendupwardly from the sole structure 302 along the forefoot region 310, themidfoot region 312, and the heel region 314 to a boundary 554. In thisembodiment, the boundary 554 defines a transition point, at which point,a material of the base layer 604 transitions. For example, the boundary554 may define a transition point, at which point, the material of theupper 304 transitions from a material that degrades or biodegrades to amaterial that does not degrade or biodegrade. The boundary 554 mayextend around a periphery of the upper 304; through each of the forefootregion 310, the midfoot region 312, and the heel region 314; and/oracross the medial side 350 and the lateral side 352 of the article offootwear 300. Therefore, portions of the instep layer 550 and/or thecollar layer 552, which comprise at least a first material (e.g., amaterial that does not degrade or undergo biodegradation when exposed toa biologically active agent), may be within the forefoot region 310, themidfoot region 312, and the heel region 314, and along the medial side350 and/or the lateral side 352.

The material used to construct the base layer 604 may be selected basedon the particular properties desired therefor. Further, as will bediscussed further herein, a material used to construct the base layer604 may be a material similar to the substrate 106 of the compositematerial 100 and may provide a base to which a biodegradable portion ormaterial, such as the biodegradable portion 108, may be applied.

In particular embodiments, the base layer 604 is constructed from anon-biodegradable material or fabric, a material incapable of beingdecomposed by a bacteria or other living organism, or a material thatdoes not breakdown organically when exposed to a microorganism, such asa bacteria, fungi, or other biologically active agent previouslydiscussed herein. In particular aspects, the base layer 604 may includea non-biodegradable breathable fabric substrate, such as a polyester; awoven, knitted, braided, or non-woven polyester textile; or a polyestermesh material (such as Tulle) that provides a hydrophobic, durablematerial for the upper 304. In other embodiments, the base layer 604 mayinclude an elastane and/or stretch polyester that may provide the baselayer 604, and the upper 304, with a desired degree of elasticity andrecovery. In further embodiments, the base layer 604 may include anylon-based textile material that provides the upper 304 with a durablematerial that is abrasion-resistant. In even further embodiments, thebase layer 604 may include a cotton-based textile to provide a softfabric or a natural aesthetic to the base layer 604. The base layer 604may also include a polyurethane or a polyurethane leather, a rubber, anopen cell foam, a closed cell foam, polyethylene, and/or combinationsthereof.

In some aspects, as discussed herein, the base layer 604 may be selectedbased on the particular microorganism or biologically activemicroorganism incorporated into the article of footwear 300. Forexample, in instances where the article of footwear 300 incorporates amicroorganism selected from a group consisting of Pseudomonasfluorescens B-22, P. putida AJ, P. chlororaphis; Ochrobactrum TD, and/orAspergillus niger, the base layer 604 may comprise a material other thanpolyvinyl chloride, which degrades or biodegrades when exposed toPseudomonas fluorescens B-22, P. putida AJ, P. chlororaphis;Ochrobactrum TD, and/or Aspergillus niger (see Table 1 herein).

Still referencing FIG. 10, the intermediate layer 602 is disposedbetween the base layer 604 and the top layer 600. More particularly, theintermediate layer 602 is received by (or conforms to) the base layer604 and extends from the insole region 360 of the sole structure 302, onthe lateral side 352 and the medial side 350 of the article of footwear300, to the instep layer 550, where it ceases along the boundary 554.More particularly, the intermediate layer 602 may extend upwardly fromthe sole structure 302 along the forefoot region 310, the midfoot region312, and the heel region 314 to a boundary 554. In this embodiment, theboundary 554 defines a transition point, at which point, theintermediate layer 602 ceases.

In certain aspects, the intermediate layer 602 may be strategicallylocated along discrete portions of the upper 304. For example, theintermediate layer 602 may, individually, include discrete portionsthereof on the forefoot portion 310, the midfoot portion 312, and/or theheel portion 314 along the medial side 350 and/or lateral side 352.Further, as will be further discussed herein, the intermediate layer 602may be initially hidden, obstructed, or covered by the top layer 600,but visual, unobstructed, or partially or fully uncovered when the toplayer 600 degrades or biodegrades. Therefore, once the top layer 600either partially or fully degrades or biodegrades, the pattern (anornamental or visually pleasing pattern, an image, a geometric shape, atrademark, a brand mark, a bar code, a QR code, a pattern that providesapertures for optimal or desired airflow through the article of footwear300, a pattern that provides a visual indication as to a condition ofthe article of footwear 300, and/or combinations thereof) of theintermediate layer 602 may be visible.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the intermediate layer 602 may beprovided as a pattern and, more particularly, as a pattern of smallpatches 606. The intermediate layer 602 may also include thebiodegradable material 108 (not shown) and the small patches 606 maycomprise the biodegradable material 108, for example. As previouslynoted above, the biodegradable material 108 may be applied to, bondedto, positioned within, or positioned on a substrate in a way that isornamental or visually pleasing (such as a pattern, an image, ageometric shape, etc.). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13B, anintermediate layer 602 may be a uniform layer with the biodegradablematerial coated therein or therein, as will be further discussed herein.

In other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 10 herein, theintermediate layer 602 may be constructed from a non-biodegradablematerial or fabric, a material incapable of being decomposed by abacteria or other living organism, or a material that does not breakdownorganically when exposed to a microorganism, such as a bacteria, fungi,or other biologically active agent previously discussed herein. In theseparticular embodiments, the intermediate layer 602 may include anon-biodegradable breathable fabric substrate, such as a polyester orpolyester textile that provides a hydrophobic, durable material for theupper 304, an elastane and/or stretch polyester that provides a desireddegree of elasticity and recovery, a nylon-based textile material thatprovides a durable material that is abrasion-resistant, a cotton-basedtextile to provide a soft fabric or a natural aesthetic, a polyurethaneor a polyurethane leather, a rubber, an open cell foam, a closed cellfoam, polyethylene, and/or combinations thereof. Further, in theseparticular embodiments, the intermediate layer 602 may still be providedas a pattern, such as that shown in FIG. 10, or as a uniform layer, suchas that shown in FIG. 11, which will be further discussed herein.

The top layer 600 may be positioned over the intermediate layer 602 andthe base layer 604, and may extend from the sole structure 302 on boththe lateral side 352 and the medial side 350, and/or across the instepregion 546. In particular aspects, the top layer 600 fully encases orsurrounds the intermediate layer 602 and/or the base layer 604 of thearticle of footwear 300.

In particular embodiments, the top layer 600 may be constructed from amaterial similar to the composite material 100 and, as such, the toplayer 600 may include a substrate 106, a biodegradable material 108 thatincludes at least one biologically active agent, and/or a material layer104. In some embodiments, the microorganism may be incorporated into thetop layer 600 as a biofilm. In other embodiments, such as an embodimentwherein the intermediate layer 604 comprises the biodegradable material108, the top layer 604 may only include the material layer 104.

In certain aspects, the biodegradable material 108, the biologicallyactive agent, and/or the material layer 104 of the top layer 600 may bestrategically located along discrete portions of the upper 304 and, moreparticularly, discrete portions of the top layer 600. For example, thetop layer 600 may, individually, include discrete portions thereof onthe forefoot portion 310, the midfoot portion 312, and/or the heelportion 314, and along the medial side 350 and/or the lateral side 352.Further, as previously discussed herein, the intermediate layer 602 mayalso include discrete portions that are initially hidden, obstructed, orcovered by the top layer 600, but visual, unobstructed, or partially orfully uncovered when the top layer 600 degrades or biodegrades. As such,in some embodiments, the biodegradable material 108, the biologicallyactive agent, and/or the material layer 104 of the top layer 600 may bestrategically located along portions of the top layer 600 that overlaythe discrete portions of the intermediate layer 602. As a result, thesediscrete portions of the top layer 600 may selectively degrade orbiodegrade to expose the discrete portions of the intermediate layer602, but other portions of top layer 600 may remain biologically,chemically, or structurally intact. In one aspect, a user may alsodesire an upper having discrete portions that are more flexible thatother portions of the upper. In such an embodiment, discrete portions ofthe top layer 600 may selectively degrade or biodegrade to increase theflexibility or stretchability of a particular region of the upper.

FIG. 11 depicts an article of footwear 610 having a sole structure 612and an upper 614. Further, similar to the article of footwear 300, theupper 614 may include a plurality of layers, including a top layer 616,an intermediate layer 618, and a base layer 620. However, as notedabove, the intermediate layer 618 is provided as a uniform layer and maybe a layer that generally conforms to the top layer 616 and/or the baselayer 620. Further, in particular embodiments, the intermediate layer618 is a different material, a different color, a different texture, orotherwise different in appearance from the top layer 616. As such, inone particular example, the article of footwear 610 may change color ora shade of color once the top layer 616 degrades or biodegrades.

FIG. 12 depicts an article of footwear 630 having a sole structure 632and an upper 634. Further, similar to the article of footwear 300, theupper 634 may include a plurality of layers, including a top layer 636,a first intermediate layer 638, a second intermediate layer 640, and abase layer 642. In this particular embodiment, the top layer 636 and thefirst intermediate layer 638 may each include a composite material 100,such that the article of footwear 630 undergoes multiple states ofdegradation or biodegradation and, as such, the article of footwear 630transitions between at least a first initial state (i.e., a statewithout any portion of the article of footwear 630 being degraded), asecond intermediate state (e.g. a state where the top layer 636 hasdegraded/biodegraded or partially degraded/biodegraded), and a thirdfinal state (e.g., a state where the top layer 636 and the firstintermediate layer 638 have degraded/biodegraded or partiallydegraded/biodegraded).

Alternatively, with continued reference to FIG. 12, the firstintermediate layer 638 may include a composite material 100 and the toplayer 636 may be constructed from a material incapable of being degradedor biodegraded by a bacteria or other living microorganism previouslydiscussed herein. For example, the top layer 636 of the presentembodiment may be a protective outer layer that encases the degradableor biodegradable intermediate layer 638. In these embodiments, the toplayer 636 may include a non-biodegradable breathable fabric substrate,such as a polyester or polyester textile or mesh material (such asTulle) that provides a hydrophobic, durable material for the upper 634.In other embodiments, the top layer 636 may include an elastane and/orstretch polyester that may provide the top layer 636, and the upper 634,with a desired degree of elasticity and recovery. In furtherembodiments, the top layer 636 may include a nylon-based textilematerial that provides the upper 634 with a durable material that isabrasion-resistant. In even further embodiments, the top layer 636 mayinclude a cotton-based textile to provide a soft fabric or a naturalaesthetic to the top layer 636. The top layer 636 may also include apolyurethane or a polyurethane leather, a rubber, an open cell foam, aclosed cell foam, a foam having a plurality of beads or particles,polyethylene, and/or combinations thereof. In further embodiments, asshown in FIG. 12, the top layer 636 may also be transparent,semi-transparent, or translucent. For example, the top layer 636 may betransparent such that degradation or biodegradation of the firstintermediate layer 638 is visible and, as a result, the secondintermediate layer 640 is visible after the first intermediate layer 638degrades or biodegrades. In particular embodiments, as will be furtherdiscussed herein, portions of the first intermediate layer 638 maydegrade or biodegrade to provide the article of footwear 630 withincreased aeration or airflow. In such embodiments, the top layer 636may be a non-biodegradable breathable fabric substrate, such as apolyester or polyester textile or mesh material, to ensure increasedaeration is achieved. Optionally, in these embodiments, the article offootwear 630 may not include the second intermediate layer 640, but,rather, the article of footwear 630 simply includes the top layer 636,the first intermediate layer 636, and the base layer 642.

Using the configurations discussed herein, the top layers 600, 616, 636,638 or the individual portions thereof (i.e., the substrate 106, thebiodegradable material 108, and/or the material layer 104), may beconfigured to degrade or biodegrade after a predetermined amount of timeor after coming into contact with a stimulus or stimuli that prompts oraccelerates degradation or biodegradation. For example, in some aspects,the stimulus or stimuli used to prompt or accelerate degradation orbiodegradation may include, but are not limited to, variations intemperature (such as increases or decreases in heat), sweat, light, UVlight, a change in pressure, a change in humidity, a change in pH,exposure to a liquid (e.g., water, salt water, acidic solution, basicsolution, alcohol, benzol, gasoline), exposure to a gas (e.g., CO₂, NH₃,O₂), or a solvent.

After degradation or biodegradation, a user may also wish to replace oneor more of the top layers 600, 616, 636, 638. As such, in particularembodiments, the top layers 600, 616, 636, 638 may be replaceablecomponents of the upper (e.g., a top layer 600 may be attached to theupper 304 after a top layer 600 has degraded) and may be manufacturedseparate from the upper of the article of footwear. As a result, ifdesired, a user may “restart” the degradation or biodegradation process.

FIG. 13A illustrates a perspective view of the article of footwear 300in an initial state, i.e., before a stimulus or stimuli is applied tothe article of footwear 300. FIG. 13B illustrates a perspective view ofthe article of footwear 300 after the article of footwear 300 has beenexposed to a stimulus or stimuli 650 and, because of such exposure, thetop layer 600 has partially or fully degraded or biodegraded. As aresult of the biodegradation (or partial biodegradation) of the toplayer 600, the intermediate layer 602 and/or the base layer 604 maytherefore be visible. Further, as previously discussed herein, thebiodegradable material 108, the biologically active agent, and/or thematerial layer 104 of the top layer 600 may be strategically locatedalong portions of the top layer 600 that overlay the discrete portionsof the intermediate layer 602. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10, 13A,and 13B, the intermediate layer 602 may extend across the outer layer548 of the base layer 642 of the article of footwear 300 and, as such,top layer 600 may only have the biodegradable material 108, thebiologically active agent, and/or the material layer 104 around theouter layer 548 of the top layer 600. In such embodiments, theintermediate layer 602 may at least partially define a shape of the toplayer 600 and/or a location of the biodegradable material 108, thebiologically active agent, and/or the material layer 104 on the toplayer 600.

Referring to another example, FIGS. 14A-14C illustrates side views of auser wearing the article of footwear 300 during multiple states ofdegradation or biodegradation. FIG. 14A depicts the user and the articleof footwear 300 at an initial state, FIG. 14B depicts the user and thearticle of footwear 300 at a first intermediate state of biodegradation,after the article of footwear 300 has been exposed to a stimulus orstimuli (e.g., sweat from the user, sunlight or UV light, the user'sbody heat, etc.), and FIG. 14C depicts the user and the article offootwear 300 at a second intermediate state of biodegradation, after thearticle of footwear has been further exposed to a stimulus or stimuli.

As previously discussed herein, in some embodiments, the biodegradablematerial 108 may be applied to, bonded to, positioned within, orpositioned on the substrate 106 as a pattern and, in particular, apattern of small patches. In a similar manner, such as that shown inFIG. 10, the intermediate layer 602 may be applied to, bonded to,positioned within, or positioned on the base layer 604 as a pattern and,in particular, a pattern of small patches. Further, as discussed herein,the intermediate layer 602 may be applied to, bonded to, positionedwithin, or positioned on the base layer 604 in a way that is ornamentalor visually pleasing (such as a pattern, an image, a geometric shape,etc.), in a way that forms a particular shape (such as a trademark,brand mark, bar code, general geometric shape, etc.), or in a way thatprovides a particular function once degraded (such as a pattern thatprovides apertures for optimal or desired airflow through the article towhich the composite material is applied, a pattern that provides avisual indication as to a condition of the article to which thecomposite material is applied, a pattern that alters a state of thearticle to which the composite material is applied to provide anindication as to a condition of the article to which the compositematerial is applied, etc.), and/or combinations thereof.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B,the intermediate layer 602 may include a logo, a trademark, or a brandmark 700. As such, in an initial state, such as that shown in FIG. 15A,the top layer 600 may cover or block the logo 700 so that the logo isnot visible; however, once the top layer 600 degrades or biodegrades (asshown in FIG. 15B), the logo, trademark, or brand mark 700 may bevisible.

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the intermediate layer 602 may include avisual indication 800, such as a visual indication that the article offootwear 300 is a winner or that the user of the article of footwear 300receives a prize or wins a contest (e.g., a sweepstakes). As such, in aninitial state, such as that shown in FIG. 16A, the top layer 600 maycover up or block the visual indication 800 so that the visualindication is not visible; however, once the top layer 600 degrades orbiodegrades (as shown in FIG. 16B), the visual indication 800 may bevisible.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 17Aand 17B, the intermediate layer 602 may include a bar code, a QR code,or a coupon 900. As such, in an initial state, such as that shown inFIG. 17A, the top layer 600 may cover or block the bar code 900 so thatthe bar code is not visible; however, once the top layer 600 degrades orbiodegrades (as shown in FIG. 17B), the bar code 900 may be visible.

As further shown in FIGS. 14A-14C, regions of the top layer 600 maydegrade or biodegrade quicker or at a faster pace than other regions ofthe top layer 600. For example, as best shown in FIG. 14B, portions ofthe intermediate layer 602 may be visible before other portions of theintermediate layer 602 are visible. In particular, in these embodiments,the portions of the top layer 600 that degrade or biodegrade at aquicker or faster rate are portions of the top layer 600 that areexposed to a higher degree of the stimulus or stimuli (or, putdifferently, are portions that have higher degrees of exposure to thestimulus or stimuli). For example, as will be further discussed herein,particular areas of a user's foot may be have heightened bodytemperatures or particular areas of a user's foot may have heighteneddegrees of perspiration, and, as such, these particular areas orlocations along the top layer 600 may degrade quicker or at a fasterrate than other areas or locations along the top layer 600.

For example, FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary heat map 950 of an upper952 of an article of footwear. As shown in this particular embodiment,the upper 952 may include areas or regions of low thermal activity orlow perspiration (i.e., region 954), areas or regions of medium thermalactivity or medium levels of perspiration (i.e., region 956), and/orareas or regions of high thermal activity or high levels of perspiration(i.e., region 958). Further, as should be appreciated by those skilledin the art, these regions may vary between users or individuals. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, which are top plan views ofexemplary heat maps 970, 972 for an upper of an article of footwear fora first and second individual, one individual may have regions of highthermal activity or high levels of perspiration proximate a forefoot ortoe region 974 of an upper (such as that shown in FIG. 19A), whileanother individual may have regions of high thermal activity or highlevels of perspiration proximate a forefoot region 976, a lateral sideregion 978, and a lateral instep region 980 (such as that shown in FIG.19B). As such, in particular embodiments, portions of the top layer 600,616, 636, 638 may degrade differently based on the particular user ofthe article of footwear.

FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate another article of footwear 1000 accordingto another aspect of the present disclosure that may include a solestructure 1002 and an upper 1004 attached to the sole structure 1002.Further, similar to the article of footwear 300, the upper 1004 mayinclude a base layer 1006 and a top layer 1008 and, in some embodiments,an intermediate layer (not shown). As discussed in connection with FIG.12, the article of footwear 1000 may also include a top layer thatencases the top layer 1008, which may act as a protective outer layer.The top layer 1008 may also include the composite material 100 (orindividual portions thereof). Using this configuration, the top layer1008 or any individual portion thereof (e.g., the substrate 106, thebiodegradable material 108, and/or the material layer 104), may beconfigured to degrade or biodegrade after a predetermined amount of timeor after coming into contact with a stimulus or stimuli 1010 thatprompts or accelerates degradation or biodegradation. For example, aspreviously discussed herein, the stimulus or stimuli used to prompt oraccelerate degradation or biodegradation may include, but are notlimited to, variations in temperature (such as increases or decreases inheat), sweat, light, UV light, a change in pressure, a change inhumidity, a change in pH, exposure to a liquid (e.g., water, salt water,acidic solution, basic solution), exposure to a gas (e.g., CO₂, NH₃,O₂), or a solvent. In this particular aspect, the stimulus or stimulimay be variations in temperature or thermal heat, as well as an exposureto sweat.

More particularly, certain regions of the top layer 1008 may degrade orbiodegrade and thereby form apertures 1012 when subjected to thestimulus or stimuli 1010. The apertures 1012 may expose portions of thebase layer 1006 and, as a result, may provide a region with increasedventilation or aeration, as the openings or apertures 1012 allow air toflow through the top layer 1008 of the article of footwear 1000 andacross the base layer 1006. For example, FIG. 20A illustrates thearticle of footwear 1000 before the upper 1004 is subjected to thestimulus 1010 and FIG. 20B illustrates the article of footwear 1000after the upper 1004 is subjected to the stimulus 1010 and after atleast one aperture 1012 extends through the top layer 1008. Aspreviously discussed herein, the formation of apertures (such as theapertures 1012) may be an indication of degradation or biodegradation.In these particular embodiments, the apertures 1012 may have an areabetween about 1 mm² and about 20,000 mm², between about 100 mm² andabout 10,000 mm², or between about 200 mm² and about 1,000 mm², forexample.

As also previously discussed herein, the medium containing thebiologically active microorganism may be remote from an article and maybe applied to the article by a user. For example, as shown in FIGS. 21Aand 21B, the medium containing the biologically active microorganism maybe a fluid spray or aerosol composition 1050 and, when desired, may beapplied, sprayed, or otherwise distributed on an article, such as anarticle of footwear 1052, by a user 1054. In this embodiment, theapplication of the fluid spray or aerosol composition 1050 on thearticle of footwear 1052 may cause an upper 1056 of the article offootwear 1052 to degrade or biodegrade and, in particular embodiments,may cause the formation of apertures 1058 through the upper 1056. Inother embodiments, the upper 1056 may still require a stimulus 1060 toactivate the biologically active microorganism within the fluid spray oraerosol composition 1050.

In addition to footwear, particular concepts described herein may alsobe applied and incorporated in other types of apparel or other athleticequipment, including articles of clothing (e.g., shirts, shorts, pants,hats, socks, calf sleeves, headbands, wristbands, arm sleeves, gloves,etc.), insoles, helmets, padding or protective pads, and shin guards.Even further, particular concepts described herein may be incorporatedin cushions, backpack straps, golf clubs (e.g., a golf club grip), orother consumer or industrial products. Accordingly, concepts describedherein may be utilized in a variety of products.

For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the composite material 100 (orindividual components thereof) may be incorporated into any article ofclothing, such as a hat 1100, a shirt 1112, a pair of shorts or pants1114, a wristband 1116, and/or socks or calf sleeves 1118.

In one aspect, as shown in FIGS. 23-25, the composite material 100 (orindividual components thereof) may be incorporated into an article ofclothing 1150, 1160, 1170. In such embodiments, similar to the articleof footwear 300, the article of clothing 1150, 1160, 1170 may include abase layer, an intermediate layer, and a top layer.

For example, FIGS. 23A and 23B depict an article of clothing 1150 thatmay include the composite material 100 within or on a top layer of thearticle of clothing 1150, such that a pattern, or a portion of theintermediate layer or base layer thereof 1152, may form on an exteriorsurface, or may be visible from an exterior of the article of clothing1150 after a stimulus or stimuli 1154 are applied thereto. As anotherexample, FIGS. 24A and 24B depict an article of clothing 1160 that mayinclude the composite material 100 within or on a top layer, such thatan exterior 1162 of the article of clothing 1160 alters (e.g., changescolor) after a stimulus or stimuli 1164 are applied thereto. As yetanother example, FIGS. 25A and 25B depict an article of clothing 1170that may include the composite material 100 within or on a top layer ofthe article of clothing 1170, such that one or more apertures 1172 formafter a stimulus or stimuli 1174 are applied thereto.

In another aspect, as shown in FIGS. 26-28, the composite material 100(or individual components thereof) may be incorporated into a hat 1180,1190, 1200. FIGS. 26A and 26B depict a hat 1180 that may include thecomposite material 100 within or on a top layer of the hat 1180, suchthat a pattern, or a portion of the intermediate layer or base layerthereof 1182, may form on an exterior surface thereof, or may be visiblefrom an exterior of the hat 1182 after a stimulus or stimuli 1184 areapplied thereto. As another example, FIGS. 27A and 27B depict a hat 1190that may include the composite material 100 within or on a top layer,such that an exterior 1192 of the hat 1190 alters (e.g., changes color)after a stimulus or stimuli 1194 are applied thereto. As yet anotherexample, FIGS. 28A and 28B depict a hat 1200 that may include thecomposite material 100, such that one or more apertures 1202 form aftera stimulus or stimuli 1204 are applied thereto.

In a further aspect, as shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, the compositematerial 100 (or individual components thereof) may be incorporated intoan insole 1210. FIGS. 29A and 26B depict an insole 1210 that may includethe composite material 100 within or on a top layer 1212 of the insole1210, such that one or more apertures 1214 form through the top layer1212 of the insole 1210 after a stimulus or stimuli 1216 has beenapplied thereto to expose a base layer 1218.

In further embodiments, articles of footwear or articles of clothing mayincorporate a composite material 100 (or individual components thereof)that visualizes biofilm formation and growth as a change in color of thecomposite material 100. In such embodiments, the biological active agentof the biodegradable material 108 may biologically or chemically alterthe material layer 104 and, thereby, change a visual appearance of thematerial layer 104 once subjected to a stimuli. For example, an articleof footwear or an article of clothing may be constructed from acomposite material 100 having the aforementioned properties and mayresultantly alter the physical appearance (e.g., a color, a shade ofcolor, a reflectivity) of the article of footwear or the article ofclothing after being subjected to a stimulus or stimuli. For example, insome aspects previously discussed herein, an article may include abiodegradable portion or biodegradable medium 108 containing a dye and,upon activation by a stimulus or stimuli, the dye may be released fromthe biodegradable portion or biodegradable medium 108 and into or onto asurrounding environment. For example, the biodegradable medium 108 maybe a sealed encapsulation that includes a biologically active agent anda dye and, upon activation by a stimulus or stimuli, may release the dyeto a surrounding substrate or fabric (e.g., the substrate 106) and alterthe color or appearance of the surrounding substrate or fabric.

For example, as shown in FIG. 30, the aforementioned composite material100 having a dye (or individual components thereof) may be incorporatedinto any article of clothing, such as a hat 1220, a shirt 1230, a pairof shorts or pants 1240, or an article of footwear 1250.

Referencing FIGS. 31A and 31B, in one aspect, the aforementionedcomposite material 100 (or individual components thereof) may beincorporated into a hat 1220 and a visual appearance (e.g., a color) ofthe hat 1220 may alter after being subjected to a stimulus or stimuli1252.

In another aspect, and referencing FIGS. 32A and 32B, the aforementionedcomposite material 100 (or individual components thereof) may beincorporated into a shirt 1230 and a visual appearance (e.g., color) ofthe shirt 1230 may alter after being subjected to a stimulus or stimuli1254.

Now referencing FIGS. 33A and 33B, in a further aspect, theaforementioned composite material 100 (or individual components thereof)may be incorporated into an article of footwear 1250 and a visualappearance (e.g., color) of the article of footwear 1250 may alter afterbeing subjected to a stimulus or stimuli 1256.

In addition to footwear, particular concepts described herein may alsobe applied and incorporated in other types of apparel or other athleticequipment, including articles of clothing (e.g., shirts, shorts, pants,hats, socks, calf sleeves, headbands, wristbands, arm sleeves, gloves,etc.), helmets, padding or protective pads, and shin guards. Evenfurther, particular concepts described herein may be incorporated incushions, backpack straps, golf clubs (e.g., a golf club grip), or otherconsumer or industrial products. Accordingly, concepts described hereinmay be utilized in a variety of products.

FIG. 34 illustrates a process flow chart of an exemplary methodology orprocess 1300 for producing the article of footwear 300 having thecomposite material of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the methodology 1300may include steps 1302, 1304, and 1306. First, in step 1302, the baselayer, e.g., the base layer 604, the intermediate layer, e.g., theintermediate layer 602, and the top layer, e.g., the top layer 600, maybe constructed by a standard means in the art. Next, in step 1304, theintermediate layer, e.g., intermediate layer 602, may be fused with oronto the base layer, e.g., the base layer 604. For example, FIG. 35depicts step 1304 of the process 1300, wherein an intermediate layer 602is fused with or onto a base layer 604. Once the intermediate layer isfused with the base layer, a top layer, e.g., top layer 600, may beconnected to the intermediate layer and the base layer in the step 1306.

Although the description below is in connection with an article offootwear, it would be understood that the methodology discussed hereinmay be used to produce other articles, including, but not limited to,shirts, shorts, pants, hats, socks, calf sleeves, headbands, wristbands,arm sleeves, gloves, or any other article previously discussed herein.

Any of the embodiments described herein may be modified to include anyof the structures or methodologies disclosed in connection withdifferent embodiments. Further, the present disclosure is not limited toarticles of footwear of the type specifically shown. Still further,aspects of the articles of footwear of any of the embodiments disclosedherein may be modified to work with any type of footwear, apparel, orother athletic equipment.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description.Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative onlyand is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art tomake and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying outsame. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within thescope of the appended claims are reserved.

We claim:
 1. An article of footwear comprising: a sole structure; and anupper attached to the sole structure, the upper including abiodegradable layer and a biologically active agent capable ofbiodegrading the biodegradable layer, wherein the upper includes a toplayer, a base layer, and an intermediate layer positioned between thetop layer and the base layer, wherein the top layer includes thebiodegradable layer, the intermediate layer includes the biologicallyactive agent, and the base layer includes a non-biodegradable substrate,wherein the article of footwear has a first state in which thebiodegradable layer is not biodegraded.
 2. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is completely visuallyobstructed by the top layer in the first state.
 3. The article offootwear of claim 2, wherein the intermediate layer is at leastpartially visible in a second state, and wherein the biodegradable layeris at least partially biodegraded in the second state.
 4. The article offootwear of claim 3, wherein the biodegradable layer is positioned alonga portion of the top layer to allow for degradation of a pattern withinthe top layer.
 5. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein thebiodegradable layer is positioned along a portion of the top layer toallow for degradation of a trademark within the top layer.
 6. Thearticle of footwear of claim 3, wherein the article of footwear includesa first color in the first state and after the biodegradable layer isconsumed, the article of footwear further includes a second colordifferent than the first color in the second state.
 7. The article offootwear of claim 1, wherein the article of footwear further comprisinga tightening member to tighten the article of footwear around a wearer'sfoot.
 8. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the intermediatelayer comprises a non-biodegradable material.
 9. The article of footwearof claim 1, wherein the biodegradable layer comprises poly(ethyleneterephthalate) and the biologically active agent comprises IdeonellaSakaiensis.
 10. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the articleof footwear is in the first state, and wherein the biodegradable layeris devoid of apertures having an area between about 1 mm² and about1,000 mm².
 11. An article of footwear, comprising: a sole structure; andan upper attached to the sole structure, the upper including (1) asupport structure comprising a non-biodegradable material, (2) abiodegradable material, and (3) a biologically active agent, and whereinthe biologically active agent emanates carbon dioxide, and wherein thearticle of footwear has a first state in which the biodegradablematerial is not biodegraded.
 12. The article of footwear of claim 11,wherein the biodegradable material comprises polyvinylchloride, thenon-biodegradable material of the support structure is a material otherthan polyvinylchloride, and the biologically active agent is selectedfrom the group consisting of Pseudomonas fluorescens B-22, P. putida AJ,P. chlororaphis; Ochrobactrum TD.
 13. The article of footwear of claim11 wherein the biologically active agent is a microorganism configuredto express poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolase,mono(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalic acid hydrolase, terephthalicacid-1,2-dioxygenase, 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dicarboxylatedehydrogenase, PCA 3,4- dioxygenase, or combinations thereof.
 14. Thearticle of footwear of claim 11, wherein the biodegradable materialcomprises poly(ethylene terephthalate) and the biologically active agentcomprises Ideonella Sakaiensis.
 15. The article of footwear of claim 8,wherein the non-biodegradable material of the intermediate layer is afabric.
 16. An article of footwear comprising: a sole structure; and anupper attached to the sole structure, the upper comprising: (1) anon-biodegradable portion, (2) a biodegradable portion, and (3) abiologically active agent capable of degrading the biodegradableportion, and wherein the article of footwear has a first state in whichthe biodegradable portion is not biodegraded.
 17. The article offootwear of claim 16, wherein the upper comprises an outer layer and theouter layer includes the non-biodegradable portion and the biodegradableportion.
 18. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the uppercomprises an additional layer positioned below the outer layer, andwherein the additional layer comprises at least a portion that isvisibly distinct from the outer layer when viewed, and wherein thebiodegradable portion of the outer layer covers the visibly distinctportion of the additional layer.
 19. The article of footwear of claim16, wherein the upper comprises an outer layer, a base layer, and anintermediate layer positioned between the outer layer and the baselayer, wherein (1) the outer layer comprises the non-biodegradableportion and wherein the non-biodegradable portion of the outer layer istransparent or translucent, (2) the intermediate layer comprises thebiodegradable portion and wherein the biodegradable portion of theintermediate layer is positioned below the non-biodegradable portion ofthe outer layer is transparent or translucent, and (3) wherein thebiologically active agent is positioned in the intermediate layer, inthe base layer, or combinations thereof.
 20. The article of footwear ofclaim 16, wherein the biodegradable portion of the upper comprises anorganic filler selected from the group consisting of eggshell, coconut,abaca, kenaf, seaweed, rice straw, sisal, coffee husk, corn stover, woodshavings, and sawdust.